Sparkling sheer fabric just says, “Holiday” to me. And with the addition of some easy stitching, you can add elegance to those hard-to-wrap items. Organza with shimmer is inexpensive, less than $5/yard if you choose nylon or polyester. It’s pretty easy to work with, too. It’s fun to layer different colors together or use over other fabrics to add some sparkle. I think it’s great for wrapping gifts of wine—especially champagne! And my little name cards—that look like English crackers—can hold some special after-dinner mints or a personal “fortune cookie” wish for the New Year.

Personalize a little gift for each dinner guest.

To Make the Wine Bottle Wrap:

1. You need a yard each of two sheer fabrics, some metallic thread, metallic cord or ribbon, and a couple of beads.2. Cut out a circle from each of the fabrics that has a 28-inch diameter. (I start with a square, fold it in half, and in half again. Then I use a tape measure as a compass and mark the radius from the center of the square out to form a quarter circle.)3. Place one circle on top of the other, start in the center, and sew a continuous spiral outward using metallic thread on the top. Metallic thread can be difficult to work with. Sew a little sample before you start your project to make any tension or needle adjustments if necessary. I use a rayon embroidery thread in the bobbin, which seems to counteract the “roughness” of the metallic. Use a longer stitch length, too.

A stitched metallic spiral will add some glitz and hold the fabric circles together.

4. With the same threads in place, zigzag around the outer edges of the circles to finish. You could also serge or pink the outer edges.

A narrow zigzag stitch is just enough to finish the edges.

5. Thread some thin cord through a couple of beads and knot to hold them in place.

To Make the Name Favors:

1. Make a paper cylinder from posterboard or cardstock.2. Using the scraps from the gift wrap project, cut a rectangle from each color that’s long enough to allow ruffles on the end of the cylinder and wide enough to wrap around it a couple of times.

Make a paper cylinder to hold a small gift and stitch the recipient’s name through both layers of fabric.

3. Use free-motion stitching (drop the feed dogs and guide the fabric yourself) to personalize with a name or a design.4. Finish the edges with zigzag.5. Pop a trinket, some candy, or a message into the cylinder and wrap it up!

Comments (1)

moonbeamsinajar writes: Great Idea for the bottle cover and gorgeous too!
I'm going to use this idea for covering other goodies.
I used to make my Christmas Crackers, simply due to cost factor and found I had more fun putting them together...coming up with the joke or quotes, a small gift appropriate for each guest and we made the hats too. It was so much for fun and seemed to get everyone chatty and relaxed at the start of our meals. Recycle, recycle and be merry too!
Thanks!
Posted: 3:02 am on November 22nd